The 1970s farmer’s choice

Robert Kierans Although the 1970s was a turbulent decade for manufacturers, many new tractor ranges were launched against a backdrop of employee strikes, rising inflation and high interest rates.

Contributor

5 June 2013

David Brown launched the ‘90 Series’ tractor range in 1979. The new models were fitted with Sekura cabs with an internal sound rating below the regulatory maximum of 90dB(A).

The Massey Ferguson ‘Super-Spec’ range, introduced in December 1971, included the 148, 168 and 188 tractors. This is an original Massey Ferguson 188 fitted with four-wheel drive.

The Ford Company introduced the ‘600 Series’ range in 1975. The line-up included the 2600, 3600, 4600, 5600, 6600 and 7600 machines. The new tractors could be distinguished from their predecessors by their plain black front grilles, larger exhaust silencers and curved Q-cabs. The ‘600 Series’ tractors were more fuel efficient than their predecessors and had improved hydraulics. ‘Dual Power’ could be specified instead of the standard gearbox, and this doubled the number of available gears to sixteen forward and four reverse speeds.

The ‘600 Series’ tractors were more fuel efficient than their predecessors and had improved hydraulics. ‘Dual Power’ could be specified instead of the standard gearbox, and this doubled the number of available gears to sixteen forward and four reverse speeds.

The two largest tractors in the range, the 126hp 8600 and the 145hp 9600, were introduced three years prior to the rest of the ‘600 Series’ models and replaced the Ford 8000 and 9000. The Ford 8600 and 9600 tractors were, in turn, superseded by the 8700 and 9700 in 1976 with the launch of ‘700 Series’ range. This range consisted of four tractors – the 6700 and 7700, which were sold alongside the 6600 and 7600 as more expensive, luxurious models, together with the aforementioned 8700 and 9700. The 8700 and 9700 were the first Ford tractors with an optional factory fitted four-wheel drive system known as ‘Front Wheel Assist’.

The ‘700 Series’ tractors had ‘Dual Power’ transmissions and ‘Deluxe’ flat-floor Q-cabs as standard, and can be easily identified by their wraparound front grilles.

1979 saw the arrival of the imposing ‘TW’ range. The entry-level 128hp TW-10 replaced the Ford 8700, while the Ford 9700 was superseded by the 153hp TW-20. The flagship TW-30 was fitted with a 188hp turbo-charged and inter-cooled engine. Four-wheel drive was standard on the TW-30, and optional on the TW-10 and TW-20.

Massey Ferguson also introduced many new tractors during the troubled economic times of the 1970s.

Three ‘Super-Spec 100 Series’ models were launched at the Royal Smithfield Show in December 1971. The 48hp Massey 148, 66hp 168 and 75hp 188 tractors were essentially upgraded versions of the 135, 165 and 185 machines fitted with ‘Multi-Power,’ an independent pto and Sirocco flexi-cabs as standard.

The ‘Super-Spec’ models can be easily distinguished from their basic counterparts by the 6” spacer which was positioned between the gearbox and the back-end. This resulted in wider cab doors which greatly improved access to the tractor’s driving positions.

The ‘Super-Spec’ tractors were superseded by the 550, 575 and 590 models when the ‘500 Series’ range was unveiled in 1975. The other tractors in the range included the 565 and the range-topping 88hp 595.

The ‘500 Series’ machines were the first Massey Ferguson tractors with fully integrated ‘supercabs.’ The new cabs met the OECD rollover protection safety standards of the time, and had an internal sound rating which was below the regulatory maximum of 90dB(A).

David Brown also kept pace with its arch-rivals during the 1970s. The company’s new 12-speed synchromesh gearbox was fitted to their tractor range launched in 1971. The new line-up consisted of the 885, 990, 995, 996, 1210 and 1212 models.

The 1212 model was the first David Brown fitted with the company’s new semi-automatic ‘Hydrashift’ transmission which provided four clutch-less changes in each of the three forward and reverse gears available. The operator, therefore, had a choice of 12 forward and four reverse speeds.

The ‘90 Series’ tractor range was introduced in 1979. The David Brown 1190 was the entry-level model, powered by a 48hp three-cylinder diesel engine. The other tractors in the range included the 58hp 1290, the 67hp 1390, the 83hp 1490 and the 103hp 1690, each available with a choice of either two or four-wheel drive.

The ‘90 Series’ tractors were all fitted with a new Sekura Q-cab which met the aforementioned sound regulations.

International Harvester introduced their ‘worldwide’ tractor range in the 1970s. The new line-up included the entry-level 35hp 354, the 58hp 474 and the range-topping 71hp 674. The tractors featured new synchromesh transmissions, hydraulic systems and engines.

Like the 1970s, the 1980s was to prove a difficult decade for tractor manufacturers. Indeed, some did not make it through the harsh economic climate of the time to see the dawn of the following decade.